Overheating - only time "drive-able' is with heat cranked up inside - TRAC OFF?

[askjustice]

OK, 2001 olds alero v6 120k.
Last year I the car overheated (first time, only prior time) - it was 95F in DC. Pulled off - added coolant, discovered a leak where the reservoir met a tube. It held enough coolant for me to get it to my mechanic (in OH).

OK this is where I can seriously use advice if someone has seen a similar situation. Today driving from OH to Wash. DC. Hot day, a/c on for the trip - about 4 hrs to the point of the problem. Traffic jam - so I started off onto a detour (which included windy roads and very steep uphill. As soon as I go back on the highway (after about 20 mins of detour), the TRAC OFF light came on, car started "feeling funky:", heat gauge shot up to HOT and the red light on the temp "gauge" came on.
Pulled off the highway.

AAA told me to add water until I could get A/F. I was able to add 4 12 to16 oz water bottles worth.
But shortly the gauge started inching back up. But I was able to get to gas station and get A/F.

It behaved for about an hour then again the TRAC OFF, funky acting and the HOT on the temp gauge. So the rest of the way - mind you it is now in a thunderstorm/monsoon like storm - I had to cranked up the fan/hot air INSIDE the car and it was pouring out (in?) blistering heat (and since it was storming I could not open the windows) or else the temp gauge would start inching up.

Any constructive ideas would be most appreciated - I am 400 miles from home, and starting a new job in the morning (and supposed to be concentrating on that and finding an apartment), so it would really help if I had an idea how I could get my car fixed.

TY in advance.

[DoctorCrobe]

during the last part of your message, did you try checking the coolant level again to see if it was low? I am betting on two possible idea's here, the least likey is a a bad thermostat...

the more likley cause is somewhere in the coolant system you have a leak... are you seeing any coolant at all on the driveway? or where your parking? if not. double check your oil dipstick and make sure that just oil is on the stick..

If you are seeing coolant on the driveway, then that should confirm you have a leak, and you need to track it down..

However, if your leaking into the engine, and your getting something other than oil on the dipstick, or even a mixture.. it could be a gasket problem and in which case will cost some money to fix..

as far as your Trac light coming on and the engine running wierd..

I had a problem with my oldsmobile where if it got to hot, it would run like crap.. I knew what the problem was with mine as it was pretty easily seen, I replaced the part which was the radiator itself and never again has it had a problem.

not sure why the trac light is coming on though..

Anyways, let me know if your seeing anything in the crankcase or on the driveway.. since you've filled it a few times, I am fairly sure you have to be leaking it somewhere..